No Longer Afraid (Complete)

First Official Date

          Sadie blinked and it was Saturday. Anrian would be coming soon. She sat at her window sill, staring at the street. “He’s coming...Dear God, he’s coming.”, Sadie thought as her heart started to beat quickly in her chest. She sighed. "He and William aren’t the same but they are cut from the same cloth. We all are, really. I guess my mind just can’t forget what happened. I have accepted it and I do have peace with what happened but I just can’t forget it, I can’t remove it from my heart. It is a scar but it is still tender to touch.”, Sadie spoke. She then had this feeling that someone was holding her and in their arms. She felt safe, truly safe. Tears started to fall from her eyes and prayed for protection. She prayed for what seemed like seconds before she heard a car door close. Her eyes shot open and saw a casually dressed Anrian walking up to her front door. She felt her heart swell all the way up to her throat and she felt her body dampen with sweat. She heard a knock at the door and her mother answered it. She heard light chatter and then, her mother called her down stairs. Sadie slowly rose up and looked at herself in the mirror. She straighten out her jeans and her t-shirt, then tied her shoes. With a slight air of emotionlessness, she walked downstairs. She rounded the corner to find her mother and Anrian talking with each other. Anrian’s face was deeply shocked, while her mother’s face was deeply saddened. “She told him...She told him what happened.”, she thought as she stood before them. Startled, they both looked over at Sadie. They tried to shake off their weird looks and greeted Sadie casually but she saw through it. She didn’t want to address it, so she just ignored it and put on a fake smile. “Hey, Anrian. Are you ready? I can’t wait to play pool.”, she spoke sweetly. Anrian smiled gently. “Of course. Well, we’re off Ms. Jones. I’ll be sure to let know how she’s doing.”, he spoke respectfully. Sadie’s mother smiled very genuinely. “Thank you, Anrian. You two have fun now.”, Sadie’s mother spoke as she kissed Sadie good-bye and saw her off. 

       They had been riding for about five minutes in silence, when Anrian spoke up like he had some great idea. “So, my mom is great at making mozzarella sticks and barbeque wings. She made some just for us.”, he spoke with a twinkle in his eye. Sadie smiled. “I’m looking forward to trying it.”, she spoke. Anrian looked over at her with a grin for a second before returning his eyes to road. “I’m glad. She also making her famous chocolate fudge pie that you just have to try. It’s amazing!”, he spoke with a watering mouth. Sadie laughed. “Stop it! You’re making me hungry.”, Sadie spoke cheerfully. Anrian looked over at her. “Well, that’s the point.”, he said with a gentle smile. Sadie looked over at him, making accidental eye contact. She smiled bashfully as she looked away. Anrian chuckled to himself as he continued to drive on. Soon, they pulled up into the driveway of a two-story traditional brick house with quaint lampposts, green shutters, and a two car garage. Sadie quickly got out of Anrian’s car and looked the house over. “Wow, what a beautiful house.”, she expressed her admiration. Anrian smiled at her, looked at the house, then back at her. “Thanks. My parents can pick a house that’s for sure.”, he said without taking his eyes off of Sadie. She looked over at Anrian with a bright smile that instantly turned bashful again when she noticed that Anrian was watching her. “Shall we?”, Anrian said as he extended his arm towards the front door. Sadie nodded and walked up onto the front porch. Anrian slowly opened the door and led her in. “Anrian, Anrian is that you?”, Sadie heard a woman’s voice say. “It’s me, ma.”, Anrian called out as he gently grabbed Sadie’s hand and brought her into the kitchen. Sadie looked into the gorgeous antique kitchen to find Anrian’s mother, pulling a tray of mozzarella sticks out of the oven. She smiled at the two. “Hello, there.”, she sounded so excited, “My name is Melissa. I’m Anrian’s mom.”. Sadie firmly shook Melissa’s hand with a smile and introduced herself. “Such a pretty girl,  Anrian, you better act like you know.”, she said boldly. Sadie felt her cheeks blush bright red. Anrian leaned onto the kitchen island and looked at Sadie. “Oh, believe me, I do.”, he spoke with a flirtatious smile. Sadie couldn’t help but smile as she looked down at her toes and laced her hands together. Melissa lightly smacked Anrian on the back of the head. “Alright, now, behave. Can’t you tell you’re making the poor girl uncomfortable?”, Melissa asked rhetorically. Anrian looked over at his mother with an innocent smile. “I always behave.”, he spoke as he stood back and looked over at Sadie once more before he walked over to kiss his mother’s cheek. “Alright, I put your food upstairs in the game room already. I have extras down here and, Sadie, if he gives you any trouble you just holler, alright?”, Melissa spoke with round eyes. Sadie smiled. “Yes ma’am.”. Anrian rolled his eyes. “Mom, seriously?”, he complained. Melissa looked over at him. “What? You’re a teenager. Raging hormones plus testosterone equals bad ideas.”, she laughed. Sadie could help but laugh as well. Anrian shook his head at them both with a grin. “Women!”, he said as he grabbed Sadie’s hand. “Mmhm. I’ll be checking in on you all.”, Melissa spoke up as Anrian led Sadie down the hall to the stairs. “Yes, mom.”, Anrian yelled.

        As they rounded the corner at the top of the stairs, Sadie could smell the delicious aroma of Melissa’s cooking. Anrian then opened a door to reveal a well decorated and fun bonus room. Every modern game system on the market was in this room with the pool table sitting squarely in the back. Sadie grinned as she entered the room. A buffet table of steaming appetizers sat against the wall between the video gaming area and the pool table. She quickly rushed over to the table and looked it over. It was beautiful: wings, cupcakes, mozzarella sticks, tiny sub sandwiches, chocolate pie, various fruits, and broccoli bites, all on one table. Sadie’s mouth began to water but quickly remembered that this wasn’t her house. Its not polite to eat before the host. She stood back from the table some only to bump into Anrian who caught her. She looked over her shoulder at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”, she said almost in a whisper. Anrian smiled. “It’s okay.”, he said as he gently stroked her arms. “Here. Help yourself to whatever you’d like.”, he said, handing her a plate. Sadie squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment as he walked away. “Thanks.”, she said, feeling very awkwardly.